Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi friends,
So Mac, overall, has been doing pretty dang well after we brought him home on Friday. His bruising has gone down significantly, his stitches seem to even look better, and he is trying to get used to life on 3 legs.
We took off his Fentanyl patch last night around 5p (as instructed by our discharge papers), and within a few hours, Mac seemed lethargic, didn't want to get up to go to the bathroom, and honestly seemed like he was in pain. I called the vet and asked if that was normal and if we could give him his Gabapentin that we had from before the surgery. They said that was fine.
Has anyone else experienced this? Also, by this day, should Mac be making significant strides in his walking? It seems like his front remaining leg is so strained, like instead of a 90 degree angle between his paw and the rest of his leg, its more like a deep curve. Is that normal? He is now actually just resting entirely, instead of wanting to walk around and try to jump on the couch. Is it possible he just overexerted himself when he was on the fentanyl patch and feeling great?
This morning, he didn't want to get up to go potty either and we had to force his food bowl under him to get him to eat. He eventually got up and ate and showed his belly, so we knew he was maybe feeling a bit better.
Just want to make sure this is all normal. I can't wait for the day when Mac gets better on 3 legs...
We adopted Mac in June 2014 from the GRCGLAR and he is our little baby boy, despite the fact that he is 11.5! Almost a year of bliss turned into complete devastation when he started limping on his front right leg and it was discovered on April 16, 2015 that he has bone cancer - specifically Osteosarcoma. We were luckily directed to Tripawds by our oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner, which changed our lives and guided us through the amputation process.
Read more about Mac's incredible story on his blog: http://teammac.tripawds.com/
From our experience w/ Ellie, it sounds fairly normal. Do you have a good sense of when Mac is in pain? For Ellie, it was when she would not want to look at you or cuddle with you. Her mind was focused inward, thinking about pain. So that became our signal that she needed pain meds.
And it certainly took time for her to gain strength and be able to get around w/o excessive tiring. It was so easy to worry and feel like all the other dogs were running around in circles by now, why wasn't Ellie? At first, she'd sort of walk in a crouch, with her back humped up, because her remaining rear leg just wasn't strong enough to carry the full weight. And squatting to do her business wore her out and she'd just plop down and rest a bit (which meant sometimes we needed to tidy her up).
Ellie just took things at her own pace. As long as you see progress (even if it is two steps forward, one back), at least things are moving in the right direction. And he is only 5 days post-op, so I think needing lots of rest seems normal.
Denise, Bill and Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Hello!
Our Caylee is an 11 year old Golden and is going in for amputation this Friday. We are scared about her recovery, the pain, when will she get up and move around? I think it will be exhausting for as I am sure she will hop around on that one leg all the time?
I am looking for words or encouragement, your story and what to expect?
Glenn, Jeff and Caylee
annapyr said
From our experience w/ Ellie, it sounds fairly normal. Do you have a good sense of when Mac is in pain? For Ellie, it was when she would not want to look at you or cuddle with you. Her mind was focused inward, thinking about pain. So that became our signal that she needed pain meds.
Honestly, it is really hard for me to tell when Mac is in pain. The only indication we had last night was that he was having a much harder time moving around than he has been, and he would just get up and stare into space and refused to lay back down. And then he went and laid against a chair, looking sort of uncomfortable, and didn't move for half the night. Very uncharacteristic.
We didn't want to move him to the room we've been sleeping in so we just slept on the couch last night. He finally got up and laid next to us, on the bad side (!), and didn't move until we woke up in the morning. IDK, he just seems more serious since we removed the Fentanyl patch...
We adopted Mac in June 2014 from the GRCGLAR and he is our little baby boy, despite the fact that he is 11.5! Almost a year of bliss turned into complete devastation when he started limping on his front right leg and it was discovered on April 16, 2015 that he has bone cancer - specifically Osteosarcoma. We were luckily directed to Tripawds by our oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner, which changed our lives and guided us through the amputation process.
Read more about Mac's incredible story on his blog: http://teammac.tripawds.com/
I hope others chime in, because I only my own experience to relate to. But the things you describe (not wanting to lay down or move and being 'more serious') could all be pain and discomfort in my eyes. For example, Ellie couldn't really figure out how to lay down at first w/o plopping hard, which of course caused pain. So she'd sort of stand around, wanting to lay down but not wanting to. We'd hover around her, asking her what she needed, trying to anticipate what she needed. This is probably the most difficult phase, where you're trying to figure this all out as you go along and Mac is just a few days out of major surgery, learning to adjust and coming off the high power pain meds that he got at the hospital.
Is he getting any pain meds other than Gabapentin? Ellie was on Gabapentin and also on Tramadol, which she did not tolerate. Some dogs do, but some don't. So we weaned her off Tramadol but even so she was on it for a good 2+ weeks after the surgery.
Denise, Bill and Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Has anyone else experienced this? Also, by this day, should Mac be making significant strides in his walking?
I think that anytime you think something is wrong you should let your vet know. Don't feel bad about calling them back if the gaba doesn't kick in by tonight. Take notes about the symptoms and when they occur so that they can pinpoint the issue and how to fix it with medication. All dogs react differently to meds, just like people, and you just have to find the right balance.
As for walking. No, all he should be doing right now is going out to potty. At not even a week out, especially at his age, he should just be getting lots and lots of rest. Try not to expect too much at this point. But again, keep your vet in the loop.
Our Caylee is an 11 year old Golden and is going in for amputation this Friday.
Welcome! I approved your other post and replied in the other existing topic, but please do consider starting a new topic all about Caylee so we can better help you and learn all about you guys. We're glad you're here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
caylee said
Hello!Our Caylee is an 11 year old Golden and is going in for amputation this Friday. We are scared about her recovery, the pain, when will she get up and move around? I think it will be exhausting for as I am sure she will hop around on that one leg all the time?
I am looking for words or encouragement, your story and what to expect?
Glenn, Jeff and Caylee
Hi Glenn, Jeff and Caylee! We are so close and we don't even know each other 🙂 I am happy to talk to you and tell us our entire experience and Mac's recovery so far (which has been pretty good, I must say). I'm about to leave work to go be with Mac, would it be better to e-mail you instead? You can reach me at: jamieeller@gmail.com
Talk to you soon...
Jamie and Mac
We adopted Mac in June 2014 from the GRCGLAR and he is our little baby boy, despite the fact that he is 11.5! Almost a year of bliss turned into complete devastation when he started limping on his front right leg and it was discovered on April 16, 2015 that he has bone cancer - specifically Osteosarcoma. We were luckily directed to Tripawds by our oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner, which changed our lives and guided us through the amputation process.
Read more about Mac's incredible story on his blog: http://teammac.tripawds.com/
Thanks Jerry. I think because he has exceeded our expectations so far, it is hard not to jump the gun on his progress. Things seemed incredibly great, and then just this step back is making me heartsick!!
We adopted Mac in June 2014 from the GRCGLAR and he is our little baby boy, despite the fact that he is 11.5! Almost a year of bliss turned into complete devastation when he started limping on his front right leg and it was discovered on April 16, 2015 that he has bone cancer - specifically Osteosarcoma. We were luckily directed to Tripawds by our oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner, which changed our lives and guided us through the amputation process.
Read more about Mac's incredible story on his blog: http://teammac.tripawds.com/
YES .. .this is normal, I think. For us, Shelby was perfect the first 48 hours and I was like , this will be a breeze but after that patch came off... he!!.... Shelby was already used to walking on three legs so that wasn't the issue. Whining, pacing, crying ... I couldn't comfort her. Was it pain? Was it anxiety? I don't know ..we gave her pills for both. She seemed blue but also moved around fine. she didn't come to me for comfort and it broke my heart. In fact, she took up residence in my tiny bathroom on the mat and refused to move. It was her way of "denning"... She eventually came out of her post-recovery shell and was fine.
But the movement should definitely be limited ... just potty and that's it. If he isn't eating, try some chicken or chicken stock. Shelby also turned her nose up at the food I served her since the stuff at the vet was so much yummier!
It will get better!
Hugs,
alison with spirit shelby and little jasper too
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
My esperiencs...YES... ormal! Of course, call your vet if you have ANY concerns and I would email a picture of Mac's leg just for reassurance. Does he show any lain in that leg, any swelling,etc.
I'm go na get on my "give him pain meds soal box"! If ALL je has had is the patch, I would DEFINITELY pursue Gabapentin AND Tramadol! Is he in an antio like Rimadyl! Most dogs, not all, butthe majority come home with all three and are on this consistently for 10 - 14 days, Every dog is different but thisis .MAJOR surgery and it hurts! Once the lain gets ahead of the meds, it's jarder to get back under control, so that's why scheduled doses are imlortant.
Every dog shows their pain differently and they all try to hide it stoically. Again, Im not a vet but I would start him on these three lain meds quickly and see if that doesn't help.
And,as others have said...REST, REST, REST.
My Happy Hannah did not lay on her incision for five weeks!!! Depending on how they usually lay...which direction they normally make circles, which direction they curve when they snuggle down for a nap, which side they lay on, etc....somet i.es it just takes a bit of figuring out how to do thi gs in a "different direction".
A d thisis why we call recovery a roller coaster ride! Ups and downs for sure...but eventually all ups!!
Love and hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
He was on Gaba, Tramadol and Rimadyl BEFORE his surgery, and after his surgery he is just on Tramadol, Rimadyl and the Fentanyl patch, whcih we removed last night. And then began the strange behavior.
I know resting is important, but I can't say we didn't let him be a dog a little since he seemed to be doing so well. That might've been our mistake...and now I feel bad!! It's killing me to see him so lethargic. Well, I know once the vet calls me back I will feel better...
We adopted Mac in June 2014 from the GRCGLAR and he is our little baby boy, despite the fact that he is 11.5! Almost a year of bliss turned into complete devastation when he started limping on his front right leg and it was discovered on April 16, 2015 that he has bone cancer - specifically Osteosarcoma. We were luckily directed to Tripawds by our oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner, which changed our lives and guided us through the amputation process.
Read more about Mac's incredible story on his blog: http://teammac.tripawds.com/
Alison, that sure does make me feel better. I'm sure our pups were on the same page in terms of the surgery itself and the care they received, as we had the same doc!
Since Mac is such a good eater, I would be really concerned if he suddenly stopped. That dog loves food more than any dog (or human) I've ever met! We did have to coax him to eat this morning, so we really knew something was up. Just waiting for Andrea or Dr. Carey to call me back 🙁
We adopted Mac in June 2014 from the GRCGLAR and he is our little baby boy, despite the fact that he is 11.5! Almost a year of bliss turned into complete devastation when he started limping on his front right leg and it was discovered on April 16, 2015 that he has bone cancer - specifically Osteosarcoma. We were luckily directed to Tripawds by our oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner, which changed our lives and guided us through the amputation process.
Read more about Mac's incredible story on his blog: http://teammac.tripawds.com/
Here are some of my past blogs about Shelby's recovery ... I hope it brings humor and smiles and a bit of comfort ...
http://mom2shel.....a-tripawd/
http://mom2shel.....-post-amp/
http://mom2shel.....e-bedroom/
As you can see ... we had LOTS of UPS and DOWNS.... I suspect that Mac might have over-extended (Andrea and Dr. Carey will know the right thing to say for sure) and that perhaps he still needs his pain pills... they do feel like they can conquer the world when they get home and once that patch wears off... the honeymoon is over.
Hang in there ... you're doing great!!! Keep us posted.
Hugs and love!
Alison with Spirit Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hello ! not much more to add, except to emphasize the importance of rest for the recovery. And, yes, keep him on a good dosage of pain meds to keep him comfortable. He shouldn't overdo his activity, and when they are feeling miserable they want to be kept quiet. Take care of the incision, to prevent infection. Each vet has a specific protocol, but my Johnnie came back home on Tramadol + antibiotic + anti-inflammatory, and we weaned him off the Tramadol after day 5, reducing the dosage as we thought he was feeling better.
Keep calm.
regards,
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
One thing you have to remember is.. it has only been 4 days!!!!!
Even though they seem to be doing really well... they have had major surgery and need time to recouperate. My Franklin was 14 when he had his front left leg amputated due to osteosarcoma. He did well.. but we kept him very low activity for the first 10 days.. and only then did we take him on short walks down the street to get him out of the house. (Also to show the neighbours we had the coolest dog on the street!! lol)
But.. it takes time.. and he will rest... and yes, this is normal. And like everyone else said... you have to remember to call your vet if you have any questions, concerns, etc. that is what they are there for.. that is what you paid the big bucks for!!
A little suggestion for future recovery.... with a front leg amputee, we raised our boys water and food bowls so he didn't have to strain bending down to floor level. This worked very well for him.. and lots of throw rugs if you have hardroom or laminate floors!! Those washable, roll up mats are my best friend!!
Keep us posted... and lots of pictures!! We love pictures!!
Glenn and Jeff.. you can check out Franklin's blog from December 2013 to see how he did with amputation.. I'm sure your girl will cope much better than you!! if you know what I mean!!
Christine.. with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
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